--- title: "C Alan Lawson | KnowJudges" canonical: "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/c-alan-lawson-6963" page_type: "judge_profile" updated: "2026-10-07" --- # C Alan Lawson Florida Fifth District Court of Appeal · Judge ## Profile - Court: Florida Fifth District Court of Appeal - State: Florida - Role: Judge - Service status: former - Last verified: 2026-06-30 ## Summary Official statewide and applicable court procedural guidance applies to this judge. ## Biography ### Professional career - Judge, District Court of Appeal of Florida, 2006-present - Justice, Florida Supreme Court (2016–2022), appointed by Governor Rick Scott after Justice James E. C. Perry’s retirement - Charles Alan Lawson is an American attorney and jurist best known for his service as a Justice of the Florida Supreme Court from 2016 to 2022, and earlier as a judge on the Florida Fifth District Court of Appeal - The chief judge on the Fifth Judicial Circuit between 2015 and 2016, before Gov. - Judge, Florida Fifth District Court of Appeal (2005–2016), including Chief Judge (2015–2016) - Judge on the Ninth Judicial Circuit from 2002 to 2005, and as a judge on the Fifth Judicial Circuit from 2006 to 2016 - the assistant county attorney in Orange County (1997–2001) - Began his legal career as an associate and partner at Steel Hector & Davis in Miami and Tallahassee (1987–1995), then held the role of general counsel for Verses Wear, Inc. (1996) - experience includes working as an associate and partner at Steel, Hector, & Davis, a law firm, and as a general counsel for Verses Wear, Inc ### Education ### Additional information - He was retained by voters in the 2018 retention election and retired on August 31, 2022 - Practitioner, 2005-2005 - He received the Florida Council on Crime and Delinquency Outstanding Jurist Award (2005) and other honors - Associate of Arts (summa cum laude, 1981) from Tallahassee Community College, a B.S. (summa cum laude, 1983) from Clemson University, and a J.D. (Order of the Coif, summa cum laude, 1987) from Florida State University College of Law - Born May 12, 1961, Lakeland, Florida. - Rick Scott (R) appointed him to the Florida Supreme Court. - During his tenure on the Fifth DCA, Lawson authored over 200 published opinions, including several highly cited cases such as Christian v. - Birth place: Lakeland, Florida ## Before you appear - Read the judge-specific standing order first when one is listed. - Check the docket and case orders for requirements that supersede broader guidance. - Confirm current remote-access and courtroom technology arrangements before the proceeding. ## Courtroom Rules ### media and still photography Scope: statewide Electronic media and still-photography coverage is allowed in Florida public trial and appellate proceedings under Rule 2.450's equipment and conduct standards, always subject to the presiding judge's control of decorum, distractions, and fair administration. Evidence excerpt: Subject at all times to the authority of the presiding judge to: (i) control the conduct of proceedings before the court; (ii) ensure decorum and prevent distractions; and (iii) ensure the fair administration of justice in the pending cause, electronic media and still photography coverage of public judicial proceedings in the appellate and trial courts of this state shall be allowed [Florida Rule of General Practice and Judicial Administration 2.450, Media and Still Photography Coverage](https://ninthcircuit.org/florida-rule-judicial-administration-2450) Source checked: 2026-07-26 ## Sources - [Official profile](https://www.courtlistener.com/person/6963/c-alan-lawson/) - [Official roster](https://www.courtlistener.com/person/6963/c-alan-lawson/) - [District Court of Appeal of Florida current judicial profile](https://www.courtlistener.com/person/6963/c-alan-lawson/) - [Florida Rule of General Practice and Judicial Administration 2.450, Media and Still Photography Coverage](https://ninthcircuit.org/florida-rule-judicial-administration-2450) - [CourtListener judicial biographical directory](https://www.courtlistener.com/person/6963/c-alan-lawson/) - [Judge Alan C. Lawson / Former Judges / Judges - - Fifth District Court of Appeal](https://5dca.flcourts.gov/Judges/Former-Judges/Judge-Alan-C.-Lawson) - [C. Alan Lawson - Ballotpedia](https://ballotpedia.org/C._Alan_Lawson) - [Court History](https://5dca.flcourts.gov/About-the-Court/Court-History) - [CourtListener judicial biographical directory](https://www.courtlistener.com/person/6963/c-alan-lawson/) - [Judge Alan C. Lawson / Former Judges / Judges - - Fifth District Court of Appeal](https://5dca.flcourts.gov/Judges/Former-Judges/Judge-Alan-C.-Lawson) - [C. Alan Lawson - Ballotpedia](https://ballotpedia.org/C._Alan_Lawson) ## JSON-LD ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "WebPage", "@id": "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/c-alan-lawson-6963", "url": "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/c-alan-lawson-6963", "name": "C Alan Lawson | KnowJudges", "description": "C Alan Lawson, Florida Fifth District Court of Appeal. 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